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Unfair, says JD of RJD manipulation of administration

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

Janata Dal leaders Sharad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan, contesting from the Madhepura and Hajipur parliamentary constituencies in Bihar respectively, have complained against allegedly unfair means being used against them by the state administration led by Chief Minister Rabri Devi.

According to senior Janata Dal leaders, both Sharad Yadav and Paswan have already listed the "unfair means" against them by the chief minister and her husband Laloo Prasad Yadav, their arch-rival. Ever since Laloo Yadav left the JD to form his Rashtriya Janata Dal, he has repeatedly asserted in Bihar that his 'first priority is to ensure the defeat of the two JD leaders.

JD officials said the chief minister and Laloo Yadav have allegedly threatened district administration officials in Madhepura to do as they were told or else... The district officials have decided not to risk facing Laloo Yadav's wrath.

Similarly, in Hajipur, the husband-wife team have allegedly tried to badger district officials, but the voters appear resolute in their choice of Paswan. Which is why the railway minister is exuding confidence.

Not so Sharad Yadav. He is contesting against Laloo Yadav but also because he has had to appeal to the voters's consciences, which are more easily quashed by gifts in cash and kind.

But Sharad Yadav cannot match the pre-electoral generosity of the Laloo Yadav family but he is quietly trying to persuade voters that instead of continuing with the casteist policies of the RJD candidate (Laloo Yadav), he would concentrate on developmental work in the constituency and the region.

Sharad Yadav, who is also the JD chief, has reportedly touched the right chord, since Laloo Yadav's fulminations against him have allegedly proved counter-productive in Madhepura.

Besides, Sharad Yadav has won the Madhepura seat twice before and this time he has, additionally, the tacit backing of the Samata Party.

EARLIER REPORT:
The Battle of the Yadavs

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